Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/102697
Upon Further Review todd D. burlage A Great Season, A Brighter Future B itterness and withdrawal would have been the natural reactions for Everett Golson early this season when the rookie quarterback's learning curve was the steepest. As one of the best high school quarterbacks ever to play the game back home in Myrtle Beach, S.C., being yanked late in games during critical situations was never a consideration. So when Golson had to step aside for various reasons and watch backup Tommy Rees gather the glory for lategame heroics against Purdue, Michigan and Stanford, Notre Dame's new starting quarterback admitted to suffering an identity crisis. "Yeah, that was rough," Golson said. "You get used to being the man and now you're being told, 'You're out.'" The fearless gene has been there all along for Golson, and it's part of what makes him a winner. The challenge for the Notre Dame coaches was to develop a young football mind to match a courageous playmaking heart. Much of the credit for Golson's steady development must go to the player for staying on task and showing fortitude through mistakes and benchings. But the strategy used in managing Golson's coursework by Irish head coach Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Chuck Martin also needs to be celebrated. Rather than overwhelming their rookie starter in the preseason with the entire playbook, the coaches recognized that defense was the cornerstone of this team and eased Golson into his class In the final five games of the regular season, sophomore Everett Golson accounted for 10 total touchdowns while averaging 224 passing yards and 45 rushing yards per game. photo by bill panzica work with incremental pieces, keeping confidence growing and game-changing mistakes minimal. Through planning and patience, one of the brightest, most versatile and promising first-year quarterbacks in the country blossomed during the second half of the regular season. There was no clear "Eureka" moment